PLATYCERIUM. 



75 



Culture. 



With the exception of P. alcicorne, which thrives best in an ordinary 

 greenhouse temperature, all the Platyceriums require stove treatment. They 

 succeed best and become most effective when planted in the fork of an 

 ordinary tree-branch or in an artificial wall-pocket made of virgin cork. 

 P. alcicorne also has a most pleasing appearance when grown as a basket 

 plant, as its roots, which usually produce young plants on their surface, soon 

 make a perfect ball, imparting a singular effect, growing as it does in all 

 directions— sideways, head downwards, &c.— with equal vigour. The compost 

 which suits them best is a 

 mixture, in about equal parts, 

 of rough, fibrous peat and 

 sphagnum. The plants are 

 particularly fond of strong 

 light, and should receive 

 water at the roots with 

 moderation. The best way 

 to keep them in good con- 

 dition in that respect is to 

 soak them thoroughly, and 

 then to wait until the foliage 

 begins to droop and to pre- 

 sent a soft, withered aspect- 

 before soaking them again. 



Platyceriums are usually propagated by means of young plants produced 

 from the adventitious buds on their roots. P. grande, however, has never 

 been known to produce any, and consequently it must be propagated by 

 means of spores ; this method, though somewhat slow, is also resorted to for 

 other species when required in great quantities. 



Fig. 27. Upper Portion of Fertiie Frond of Piatycerium setfiiopioum 



(^ nat. size). 



Principal Species and Varieties. 



P. sethiopicum — seth-i-op'-ic-um (African), ffooker. 



This plant, better known in gardens under the name of P. Stemmaria, 

 is the least-divided of all the species at present known. It is a native of the 



